Anthony shoots his way to the top

Carmelo becomes Team USA's all-time scoring leader in win over Australia

Team USA's Carmelo Anthony and and Ryan Broekhoff of Australia chase a loose ball during Wednesday's game in Rio. Anthony scored 31 points to lead Team USA to a 9888 victory. [Photo/Agencies]

Carmelo Anthony took dead aim and shot to the top of Team USA basketball history.

Anthony scored 31 points as the overwhelming gold-medal favorite outlasted Australia 98-88 on Wednesday night.

The first US male basketball player to appear in four Olympics, Anthony also passed LeBron James as the most prolific scorer to ever wear a Team USA jersey.

He opened the game by draining three 3-pointers and then moved past James with another bucket from downtown late in the first quarter.

"Of course I was conscious of it," Anthony said of the scoring mark. "My teammates were making sure I was aware of the situation, but tonight was one of those nights where I wanted to let the game come to me and take the shots that were given to me, take the open shots.

"And at the end of the day I was in my zone, just playing basketball."

Anthony knocked down nine 3-pointers - one shy of his Team USA record - and finished 11 of 21 from the field. He added eight rebounds, two steals and might have saved the Americans from a loss by scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter.

"Carmelo was magnificent," said coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Anthony has scored 293 points in Olympic competition, 20 more than James, who skipped a chance to play in his fourth Games after leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA title two months ago. David Robinson (270) is third on the scoring list, followed by Michael Jordan (256) and Charles Barkley (231).

For comparison's sake, Brazilian legend Oscar Schmidt scored 1,093 points during his Olympic career, but unlike Anthony, he didn't have his minutes restricted while playing on powerhouse teams.

Anthony was delayed in attending his postgame media conference, and when he arrived wearing a white Team USA cap adorned with the five Olympic rings, Krzyzewski congratulated the New York Knicks star on his accomplishment.

"We have had great, great players and great teams play for the United States," Krzyzewski said. "With his commitment to USA Basketball and international basketball, Carmelo is one of the best players in the world."

Although James and some other NBA stars passed on a chance to play in Brazil, Anthony signed up again and is making the most of what will undoubtedly be his final Games.

"He was wanting that moment," teammate Paul George said. "He was special tonight. We joke about this being his farewell tour."

Anthony's Olympic odyssey began with a disappointing performance in Athens in 2004, where Team USA staggered to a bronze medal and worldwide embarrassment. But he's been a major part of the program's resurgence.

"Carmelo's leadership has really blossomed," said USA Basketball manager Jerry Colangelo.

"I would say if Carmelo played on any team long enough he would be the leading scorer, that's the kind of scorer that he is."